Bethlehem, Pa., DeAndre Swift caught a 50 yard touchdown pass from Jack Clements with four minutes remaining giving the St. Joe’s Hawks a come from behind 34-30, AAAA, Eastern semi final victory over Parkland yesterday at Frank Banko field in Bethlehem.
From the onset it was apparent that Parkland coach Jim Morgans defensive game plan was to contain the edge against Prep’s back duo of Olamide Zaccheaus and Swift. The Prep generated a 14 play drive on their first possession and they countered the Trojans containment with a Joe Dumond run up the middle on a fourth and two followed by Clements four yard touchdown through center giving the Hawks an early lead. From that point on all the scoring was done by air.
Parkland quarterback DeVante Cross gave St’ Joe’s defense fits all afternoon both running and passing. Down 20-3 midway through the second stanza he generated two quick touchdown passes and crossed up the Prep defense giving the ball to Preston Saylor up the middle for a 32 yard gain on a fourth and one prior to their first score.
St. Joe’s took a 10 point lead early in the second half when Clements connected on his third TD pass, this one to Zaccheaus from 38 yards. But Cross then connected on two more himself (to Gabe Clark and Kenny Yeboah) giving Parkland their first lead at 30-27 with only eight minutes left in regulation.
St. Joe’s goes on to face District 1 champ, Pennsbury for the right to represent the east in Hershey the following week. Parkland ( the repeating district 11,4,2 champ) finishes their season at 11-3.
Notes: Cross’s touchdown passes were to four different receivers. The Junior looks much improved from last year’s game. Three of Parkland’s Jacob Bissell’s kickoffs sailed into the endzone. He is ticketed for Lafayette next year. Jon Runyan handled the extra points and kickoffs for St. Joe’s due to a concussion that Nick Bill is nursing. There were only five running plays that Parkland used outside of Cross’s carries.
Scoring by Quarter
1st Quarter
SJP-Jack Clements-4 run-PAT-Blocked-3:35
2nd Quarter
PKL-Jacob Bissell- 29 Field Goal-11:46
SJP-Justin Montague-17 pass from Clements-PAT-Jon Runyan-8:56
SJP- Olamide Zaccheaus-64 pass from Clements-PAT-Runyan-7:43
PKL-Anthony Pagliaro-18 pass from DeVante Cross-PAT-Bissell-4:27
PKL- Jarey Elder-6 pass from Cross- PAT-Bissell- 1:02
3rd Quarter
SJP-Zaccheaus-38 pass from Clements-PAT-Runyan-6:54
PKL- Gabe Clark-62 pass from Cross-PAT- Bissell-2:14
4th Quarter
PKL- Kenny Yeboah-8 pass from Cross-PAT- Blocked -8:09
SJP- DeAndre SWift- 50 pass fro, Clements- PAT- Runyan- 4:21
One Response
How about that late no call for a false start by St. Joes that magically was missed by the back judge. Refs blew this for the public league team not filled with D1 recruits all over the turf. Not like St. Joes needs any more help but the refs certainly BLEW THIS GAME.